The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of case documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his signature. Trump indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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